used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading As to a plan, Tom Reade had none now, save to watch, and, if possible, to learn something that he did not already know.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading Soft-footed, despite his great bulk, the negro approached with an air of little concern.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading As to a plan, Tom Reade had none now, save to watch, and, if possible, to learn something that he did not already know.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Soft-footed, despite his great bulk, the negro approached with an air of little concern.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading As to a plan, Tom Reade had none now, save to watch, and, if possible, to learn something that he did not already know.
past form of “approach” — move towards
From this reading Soft-footed, despite his great bulk, the negro approached with an air of little concern.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As to a plan, Tom Reade had none now, save to watch, and, if possible, to learn something that he did not already know.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading THE BLACK MAN'S TURN Closer to the earth Tom tried to burrow.
of short duration or distance
From this reading Humming an old plantation melody the negro reached his concealed magneto, then stood up for a brief moment, staring seaward in the direction from which he had just come.
bulknounUS /bʌlk/
the property resulting from being or relating to the greater in number of two parts; the main part
From this reading Soft-footed, despite his great bulk, the negro approached with an air of little concern.
burrownounUS /ˈbɜːroʊ/
a hole made by an animal, usually for shelter
From this reading THE BLACK MAN'S TURN Closer to the earth Tom tried to burrow.
(comparative of “near” or “close”) within a shorter distance
From this reading THE BLACK MAN'S TURN Closer to the earth Tom tried to burrow.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Humming an old plantation melody the negro reached his concealed magneto, then stood up for a brief moment, staring seaward in the direction from which he had just come.
not accessible to view
From this reading Humming an old plantation melody the negro reached his concealed magneto, then stood up for a brief moment, staring seaward in the direction from which he had just come.
something that interests you because it is important or affects you
From this reading Soft-footed, despite his great bulk, the negro approached with an air of little concern.
despiteprepositionUS /dɪˈspaɪt/
although something is true; in spite of
From this reading Soft-footed, despite his great bulk, the negro approached with an air of little concern.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading As to a plan, Tom Reade had none now, save to watch, and, if possible, to learn something that he did not already know.
a line leading to a place or point
From this reading Humming an old plantation melody the negro reached his concealed magneto, then stood up for a brief moment, staring seaward in the direction from which he had just come.
the act of discovering something
From this reading Plainly, the wretch did not much fear discovery---still less interference.
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading THE BLACK MAN'S TURN Closer to the earth Tom tried to burrow.
be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading Plainly, the wretch did not much fear discovery---still less interference.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Humming an old plantation melody the negro reached his concealed magneto, then stood up for a brief moment, staring seaward in the direction from which he had just come.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Humming an old plantation melody the negro reached his concealed magneto, then stood up for a brief moment, staring seaward in the direction from which he had just come.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading Soft-footed, despite his great bulk, the negro approached with an air of little concern.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading As to a plan, Tom Reade had none now, save to watch, and, if possible, to learn something that he did not already know.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As to a plan, Tom Reade had none now, save to watch, and, if possible, to learn something that he did not already know.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Soft-footed, despite his great bulk, the negro approached with an air of little concern.
HummingnounUS /ˈhʌmɪŋ/
a humming noise
From this reading Humming an old plantation melody the negro reached his concealed magneto, then stood up for a brief moment, staring seaward in the direction from which he had just come.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading As to a plan, Tom Reade had none now, save to watch, and, if possible, to learn something that he did not already know.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Humming an old plantation melody the negro reached his concealed magneto, then stood up for a brief moment, staring seaward in the direction from which he had just come.
interferencenounUS /ˌɪntərˈfɪrəns/
a policy of intervening in the affairs of other countries
From this reading Plainly, the wretch did not much fear discovery---still less interference.
and nothing more
From this reading Humming an old plantation melody the negro reached his concealed magneto, then stood up for a brief moment, staring seaward in the direction from which he had just come.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading As to a plan, Tom Reade had none now, save to watch, and, if possible, to learn something that he did not already know.
gain knowledge or skills
From this reading As to a plan, Tom Reade had none now, save to watch, and, if possible, to learn something that he did not already know.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading Plainly, the wretch did not much fear discovery---still less interference.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Soft-footed, despite his great bulk, the negro approached with an air of little concern.
magnetonoun
a small dynamo with a secondary winding that produces a high voltage enabling a spark to jump between the poles of a spark plug in a gasoline engine
From this reading Humming an old plantation melody the negro reached his concealed magneto, then stood up for a brief moment, staring seaward in the direction from which he had just come.
MAN'SnounUS /mænz/
possessive form of “man” — an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading THE BLACK MAN'S TURN Closer to the earth Tom tried to burrow.
melodynounUS /ˈmelədi/
a succession of notes forming a distinctive sequence
From this reading Humming an old plantation melody the negro reached his concealed magneto, then stood up for a brief moment, staring seaward in the direction from which he had just come.
a particular point in time
From this reading Humming an old plantation melody the negro reached his concealed magneto, then stood up for a brief moment, staring seaward in the direction from which he had just come.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading Plainly, the wretch did not much fear discovery---still less interference.
negronounUS /ˈniːɡroʊ/
a person with African ancestry, "Negro" and "Negroid" are archaic and pejorative today
From this reading Soft-footed, despite his great bulk, the negro approached with an air of little concern.
not one, and not any
From this reading As to a plan, Tom Reade had none now, save to watch, and, if possible, to learn something that he did not already know.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading As to a plan, Tom Reade had none now, save to watch, and, if possible, to learn something that he did not already know.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading As to a plan, Tom Reade had none now, save to watch, and, if possible, to learn something that he did not already know.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Soft-footed, despite his great bulk, the negro approached with an air of little concern.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Humming an old plantation melody the negro reached his concealed magneto, then stood up for a brief moment, staring seaward in the direction from which he had just come.
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading Plainly, the wretch did not much fear discovery---still less interference.
have the will and intention to carry out some action
From this reading As to a plan, Tom Reade had none now, save to watch, and, if possible, to learn something that he did not already know.
plantationnounUS /ˌplænˈteɪʃən/
an estate where cash crops are grown on a large scale (especially in tropical areas)
From this reading Humming an old plantation melody the negro reached his concealed magneto, then stood up for a brief moment, staring seaward in the direction from which he had just come.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading As to a plan, Tom Reade had none now, save to watch, and, if possible, to learn something that he did not already know.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading Humming an old plantation melody the negro reached his concealed magneto, then stood up for a brief moment, staring seaward in the direction from which he had just come.
Reade
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As to a plan, Tom Reade had none now, save to watch, and, if possible, to learn something that he did not already know.
except for; apart from
From this reading As to a plan, Tom Reade had none now, save to watch, and, if possible, to learn something that he did not already know.
seawardadjectiveUS /ˈsiːwərd/
(of winds) coming from the land
From this reading Humming an old plantation melody the negro reached his concealed magneto, then stood up for a brief moment, staring seaward in the direction from which he had just come.
Soft-footedadjective
sound of quiet gentle steps
From this reading Soft-footed, despite his great bulk, the negro approached with an air of little concern.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading As to a plan, Tom Reade had none now, save to watch, and, if possible, to learn something that he did not already know.
(used of eyes) open and fixed as if in fear or wonder
From this reading Humming an old plantation melody the negro reached his concealed magneto, then stood up for a brief moment, staring seaward in the direction from which he had just come.
not in physical motion
From this reading Plainly, the wretch did not much fear discovery---still less interference.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading Humming an old plantation melody the negro reached his concealed magneto, then stood up for a brief moment, staring seaward in the direction from which he had just come.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading As to a plan, Tom Reade had none now, save to watch, and, if possible, to learn something that he did not already know.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE BLACK MAN'S TURN Closer to the earth Tom tried to burrow.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Humming an old plantation melody the negro reached his concealed magneto, then stood up for a brief moment, staring seaward in the direction from which he had just come.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE BLACK MAN'S TURN Closer to the earth Tom tried to burrow.
male cat
From this reading THE BLACK MAN'S TURN Closer to the earth Tom tried to burrow.
tested and proved useful or correct
From this reading THE BLACK MAN'S TURN Closer to the earth Tom tried to burrow.
change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
From this reading THE BLACK MAN'S TURN Closer to the earth Tom tried to burrow.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Humming an old plantation melody the negro reached his concealed magneto, then stood up for a brief moment, staring seaward in the direction from which he had just come.
look attentively
From this reading As to a plan, Tom Reade had none now, save to watch, and, if possible, to learn something that he did not already know.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Humming an old plantation melody the negro reached his concealed magneto, then stood up for a brief moment, staring seaward in the direction from which he had just come.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Soft-footed, despite his great bulk, the negro approached with an air of little concern.
wretchnounUS /retʃ/
performs some wicked deed
From this reading Plainly, the wretch did not much fear discovery---still less interference.
